The spring sitting above the opening of the garage is what is commonly referred to as a garage door spring, and may be a set of extension, or torsion springs. They are paired up on either side of the door and wound with a constant diameter steel bar to the necessary tension.
These parts are prone to break over time, and because of the imbalance one broken part makes, the other quickly follows suit. Although this replacement job can be done by the handy do-it-yourselfer, it is dangerous and better left to the professionals.
However, the homeowner who plans to replace the garage door torsion springs themselves should follow some precautions, including wearing proper safety gear and eye protection, and having a partner present to help. It is also important to have high quality bars for winding and adjusting tension in the springs, as well as making sure the whole assembly is firmly attached to the frame. When winding, be sure the bar is inserted all the way into the cone. The job is not overly complicated, but without an understanding of the potential violent injury from not following these simple steps, it can end badly for the installer.
It may be necessary to replace the garage door extension springs eventually as well. These are the parts with a very tightly wound look, which generate exceptional torque for lifting the door. To determine the type of extension springs needed, the door will need to be weighed, and two extension parts capable of pulling the entire weight will be need to be installed. It is also helpful to know the make and model currently in use.
When buying parts, quality can not be compromised, especially with such an important and frequently used feature. Get the best, and it will not be necessary to replace the springs any time soon.
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